Editor's note: Dean Obeidallah is an award-winning comedian who has appeared on TV shows such as Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" special, ABC's "The View," CNN's "What the Week" and HLN's "The Joy Behar Show." He is executive producer of the annual New York Arab-American Comedy Festival and the Amman Stand Up Comedy Festival.

<quoted text> They are normally ones she uses when she is irritated. And she will continually change it. Most of the time it will have Danas name somewhere in the posters name. Also the poster Matthew. If you read through the post that are from a Mormon and is insulting, and uses capitol letters in the middle of the sentence, that is sport. She also use to post under pirate.

And has even tried deceiving me in real life pretending to be leaving the LDS church. She is now a stalker, searching the web for any bit of information she can find in hopes of "exposing" me. In hopes of catching me in a lie, searching down even my father obituary.

<quoted text>Also, the person who she is referring to is a guy. He posts under Google, or scripture verses sometimes. He and Dana have had it out... that is when Dana has saidHe would, Crucify Jesus Christ himselfandHe would, kill Joseph Smith and other ProphetsandHe called God a pig, a retard, and he starts using foul language that isn't Christ like.I'm under the impression that Google does this to bring out Dana's true colors. Idk for sure though.

<quoted text>Well, you can’t cause it didn’t come from me. I only repeat what they tell me, and I don’t think they’re allowed to lie.

The next time a Mormon tells you the leaders told them to move to Utah, ask them to prove it. And don't be so gullible to believe what some one tells you who doesn't supply proof. You'll be their fool.

<quoted text>The next time a Mormon tells you the leaders told them to move to Utah, ask them to prove it. And don't be so gullible to believe what some one tells you who doesn't supply proof. You'll be their fool.

I suspect you are playing the fool again. Being willfully ignorant to try and save Mormonism:

Mormonism’s founding prophet, Joseph Smith said,“When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet”(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365). The Doctrine and Covenants (D. & C.) is LDS scripture and contains “revelations,” commandments etc. that Joseph Smith claims he received from God. D. & C. 1:37 says,“Search these commandments (in the D. & C.) for they are true and faithful and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.” D. & C. 3:1-3 further says,“The works and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught… it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men.” On April 6, 1830 Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church and claimed that God said his followers should “give heed unto all his (Joseph’s) words and commandments…for his word ye shall receive as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith”(D. & C. 21:4-5). Smith’s words and commandments with prophecies and promises are still in the D. & C. which also says the work of God can’t be frustrated or stopped. Therefore, Smith’s prophecies in the D. & C. must all be fulfilled or he was a false prophet.

The gathering of the LDS to Independence, MO was a prophecy and a doctrine in early Mormonism. Even after Smith’s death and the LDS move to Utah, LDS Apostle Orson Pratt said “Joseph Smith…professes to have received, through revelation and commandment from God, a dispensation for the gathering of the Saints from all nations. Now the doctrine of the gathering of the Saints in the last days must either be false or true; if false, then J. Smith must be an imposter. It matters not how correct he may have been in all other points of his system, if this one point—the doctrine of the gathering be false, he must be a deceiver. Why? Because he professes to have received this doctrine by direct revelation and commandment”(“Divine Authority,” in A Series of Pamphlets, pub. by Orson Pratt in 1851). There are many prophecies in the D. & C. and elsewhere about the gathering, but our limited space here will allow a summary of just a few. See our references for more of Smith’s revelations. Below are some of Smith’s prophecies in the D. & C. about the “gathering” in chronological order and how they were fulfilled.

1. Joseph Smith said the Lord revealed D. & C. 29:1-11 to him just before September 26, 1830. It says,“Ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” to one place to prepare them for His coming “from heaven with power and great glory” and His reign “in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years.” It also says “The hour is nigh and the day soon at hand” when the wicked will be burned up so “that wickedness shall not be upon the earth.”

Result: Smith had the LDS start gathering in MO in 1831, but they had to move often because of conflicts with their neighbors and all LDS left MO by 1838. LDS are now told “to remain in their homelands rather than immigrate to the United States”(Ensign, March 2000, p. 79). Christ hasn’t returned and set up His kingdom and wickedness is still on earth even though Smith received this revelation in 1830.

2. Smith said he received D. & C. 45:62-71 on March 7, 1831. It says to “gather up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you. And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God… and the wicked shall not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion…The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion.” In D. & C. 57:1-5 Smith said the Lord consecrated Independence, Missouri as the place for the gathering and as an everlasting inheritance. And D. & C. 133:4-7 commands “Gather ye together, O ye people of my (LDS) church, upon the land of Zion… the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you…gather ye out from among the nations.”

Result: LDS in 1831 were told to buy land around Independence, MO, and gather there. But they were driven out, so it was not a place of peace, safety and refuge for them. LDS from all nations never occupied “Zion” nor is it an everlasting inheritance for LDS today.

3. Smith said he received D. & C. 84:1-5 on September 22-23, 1832 in which the Lord said that Zion or New Jerusalem “shall be built, beginning at the temple lot…in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri…by the gathering of the saints beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord.” D. & C. 97:19-20 also says “Zion (in Independence, MO) is the city of our God and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there and he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.”

Result: The second LDS Prophet, Brigham Young said that a generation only lasts from 27 to 29 years (Journal of Discourses vol. 12, p.118). The generation alive in 1832 all died long ago, yet nothing in D. & C. 84:1-5 was fulfilled. Conflicts with the people in Independence, MO, led LDS leaders to enter a treaty to leave two weeks before D. & C. 97: 19-20 was given by Smith (History of the Church vol. I, p. 394). He didn’t know that because he was in Kirtland, OH when he gave that prophecy, but the Lord surely should have known it! Since these prophecies weren’t fulfilled like D. & C. 1:37 said they would be, they didn’t come from God and Smith was a false prophet.

The belief that the Saints would still be gathering at Missouri remind popular among the members. So popular the leaders had to refute it:

Myth #2: The entire Church will be gathered to Missouri. Here recent prophets have been quite specific. President Spencer W. Kimball said in October Conference, 1978:“We are building up the strength of Zion—her cords or stakes—throughout the world. Therefore, we counsel our people to remain in their native lands and gather out the elect of God and teach them the ways of the Lord. There temples are being built and the saints will be blessed wherever they live in all the world.”(Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 76.)

During the time of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, it was essential for members of the Church to “gather to Zion” for their own spiritual and physical safety. But now that temples, welfare proJects, educational facilities, genealogical research libraries, and the blessings of a full church organization in stakes are available, this gathering is no longer required or wise. And although the Church purchased some Clay County land last December, it was solely for investment purposes—not for other Church use. At a general conference, President Harold B. Lee stressed the point made by Elder Bruce R. McConkie at the Mexico City Area Conference:“‘The place of gathering for the Mexican Saints is in Mexico; … and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth. Japan is for the Japanese; Korea is for the Koreans; Australia is for the Australians; every nation is the gathering place for its own people.’”(Ensign, July 1973, p. 5.)

But note, they go on to say:

Of course, there will be special functions of the temple in Jackson County, but worldwide gatherings of the Saints to Missouri may not be necessary, or desired—after all, the mission of members is to always share the gospel with the nonmembers who surround them throughout the world, and this activity will undoubtedly continue after the Second Coming. Elder Harold B. Lee further cautioned the Saints in all lands to be guided by the current prophet, not by rumor or supposition, and “look forward to the instruction that shall come to them from the First Presidency of this Church as to where they shall be gathered and not be disturbed in their feelings until such instruction is given to them as it is revealed by the Lord to the proper authority”(In Conference Report, Apr. 1948, p. 55).

The church still thinks they will get to build a temple there someday. Also the last sentence is interesting:

"further cautioned the Saints in all lands to be guided by the current prophet, not by rumor or supposition, and “look forward to the instruction that shall come to them from the First Presidency of this Church as to where they shall be gathered and not be disturbed in their feelings until such instruction is given to them as it is revealed by the Lord to the proper authority”

They are giving themselves a back door out if they decide to change their minds. Joseph Smith wasn't a "proper authority?"

I know for a fact my parents believed they could have been called to gather and where prepared to do so. So Protestor was telling the truth about this LDS Urban Legend. I don't doubt many members still believe this.

<quoted text>How are mormons earning their salvation? Where in the standard works does it say to earn your salvation? I'm a mormon and I believe there is nothing I can do on my own that will save me from death and my sins.

Time to take you back to Mormonism 101. Let's start with the Articles of Faith:

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind MAY be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Not by the grace of Jesus Christ, but by "obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

Starting with:

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by eimmersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

But that is only the beginning, that alone will not get you to the greatest degree of glory, and everybody wants the best God has to offer, yes? But according to Mormonism, what else is required?:

"The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt; it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose...

"From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. To be exalted in the highest degree and continue eternally in family relationships, we must enter into "the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" and be true to that covenant. In other words, temple marriage is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory.(See D&C 131:1–4.) All who are worthy to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will have that opportunity, whether in this life or the next."

Baptism and repentance is only the first step, a step that isn't enough to get you there. Temple endowments, and temple marriages are also required, along with enduring to the end, of course.

One of your Prophets said that isn't enough, you needed perfection:

"Trying is not sufficient. Nor is repentance complete when one merely tries to abandon sin," Kimball writes.[2] The objective of repentance, he writes, is to obtain "perfection" as a prerequisite for achieving "immortality and eternal life.... This progress toward eternal life is a matter of achieving perfection. Living all the commandments guarantees total forgiveness of sins and assures one of exaltation through that perfection which comes by complying with the formula the Lord gave us.... Being perfect means to triumph over sin." (Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 208-209.)

That is salvation based upon your works, not the grace of Jesus Christ. I notice that the grace of Jesus Christ is not mentioned even one time in the Articles of Faith, but works are.

I would like to point out that Mormonism salvation based on works system is so ingrained that even the grace of Jesus Christ isn't given to the dead. Members have to go to the temple to do their works before they have a hope of salvation. Where is the grace of Jesus in that?

<quoted text>Also, the person who she is referring to is a guy. He posts under Google, or scripture verses sometimes. He and Dana have had it out... that is when Dana has saidHe would, Crucify Jesus Christ himselfandHe would, kill Joseph Smith and other ProphetsandHe called God a pig, a retard, and he starts using foul language that isn't Christ like.I'm under the impression that Google does this to bring out Dana's true colors. Idk for sure though.

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